State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications & Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak has blamed social media - including Facebook - for the deaths of several students seeking quota reforms.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Palak said, "Due to the spread of misinformation, violent clashes and loss of lives have occurred across the country. Facebook is responsible for this.”
“We are warning everyone - including Facebook and X - for the final time. Strict measures will be taken if the government's directives are not followed."
Calling upon the students to be patient, he added, “The government is concerned about the incidents of violence and loss of lives reported across the country. I am urging the students to be patient amid the ongoing situation.
“Students should not take any decision without checking the facts about something posted on social media.”
Urging the students not to choose the path of violence at the instigation of a third quarter, Palak said, "The expression of emotions should not be without conscience. Social media, including Facebook, are not listening to the government's requests to take action against the spread of false rumours surrounding the quota movement.
“We are in touch with Facebook and TikTok, in touch with their officials, but some of their officials work from Dubai, some from Singapore. But had their offices been in Dhaka, if their data centre was in Bangladesh, then we would have been able to flag, counter or block any content, misinformation, disinformation or rumours.”
He further said, “But the social media companies are only thinking about their business interests from Bangladesh. They are not showing any respect for the security, social order, and religious sentiments of the people of Bangladesh.
“We convey a warning for the final time, if they do not take into consideration the safety of Bangladeshi people, the laws of Bangladesh, our religious values, and social order, then we will be forced to take strict measures on behalf of the government.”
Facebook, YouTube, X must be used honestly, not misused, he pointed out.
